With the centenary, tomorrow, of his death in a flying accident during WW1, I want to post something about this Great-Uncle, James Hope WALKER.

James Hope WALKER was born on 3rd July 1896, at Kilpunt, Kirkliston, West Lothian, the second child (first son) of Thomas George WALKER, and Helen Black WALKER (nee CADZOW). His middle-name, “Hope”, is almost certainly a nod to the family’s landlord at Kilpunt; Lord HOPE, the Earl of Hopetoun.

James Hope WALKER joined the 14th London Regiment (the London Scottish) as a Private (Pte.). Regimental.No.4335. The photos of him wearing a kilt (below) appear to be his London Scottish regimental uniform. His medal card shows that he first entered the “Theatre of War”, in France on 4th July 1915.

COPYList 2. Litchfield (T.F.3)War Office, London, S.W.24th May 1916.Sir,I am directed to inform you that 4335. Pte. J.H.Walker. of the unit under your Command, has been selected to undergo a course of instruction in an Officer Cadet Unit, with a view to his subsequent appointment to a commission in the Territorial Force. I am therefore to request that you will order him to report himself to the Commandant No 8 Officers Cadet Battn, Whittington Barracks, Litchfield. on the 29th May 1916 not later than 4 p.m.. He should be provided with a railway warrant for the journey, and should be in possession of a complete kit. xxxxxxxxxxxxIt must be distinctly understood that in the event of his failure to pass the required tests on the termination of the course or it in any other respect he is found to be unsuitable for appoint--ment to a commission, he will be returned to your unit for duty in the ranks, or otherwise disposed of as directed by the Army Council.An acknowledgment of the receipt of this letter is not required, but if for any reason the candidate is unable to join, a telegram should be sent to the War Office as early as practicable, Followed by a letter stating the circumstances.I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant,(Sgd) W.D. Bird.Director of Staff Duties.The Officer Commandingxx 14th (Res) Bn.London Regt.(London Scottish)Mortlake.

On (or about) the 25th September 1916, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. The London Gazette records this in a list published on 20th October 1916 (his name is about a third of the way down on the right-hand side).

One photo among WALKER family papers labels James Hope WALKER, standing on an airfield alongside 3 other (unidentified) servicemen.

“The court is of opinion that accident was caused by loss of flying speed owing to the fact that the pilot had switched off in order to effect a slower landing. The throttle being open seems to indicate that the pilot attempted to make use of his engine forgetting he had previously switched off.”

A group of photos among family papers, show an airfield; presumably RAF Rendcomb. Three images show Bristol F.2a fighter biplanes lined up; among them are numbers A3314 and A3329. Another 3 photos show servicemen standing around a crashed plane. This is presumably the crash which killed James Hope WALKER on 16th March 1917. But the images don’t show the plane’s number, so I can’t say for sure!

Bristol F.2a fighter biplanes at Rendcomb airfield

Bristol F.2a fighter biplanes at Rendcomb airfield, A3314

Bristol F.2a fighter biplanes at Rendcomb airfield, A3329

Crashed Bristol F.2a fighter biplane

Crashed Bristol F.2a fighter biplane

Crashed Bristol F.2a fighter biplane

The following two cards were presumably sent to the WALKER family by the officers of the RFC at Rendcombe following his death.

James Hope WALKER is recorded on several monuments. These include the Hatfield War Memorial. Among family papers are two cards inviting his parents to the dedication of the Hatfield War Memorial on Sunday 12th June (1921) (see below). He is also recorded on a memorial at St Albans School, where he was a pupil (see the Great War Forum for details).

Invitation to the dedication of Hatfield War Memorial, on Sunday 12th June (1921)

Reverse of invite card

His gravestone, in St Luke’s Churchyard, Hatfield, also mentions one of his sisters, Beatrice Margaret. The FindAGrave website accurately connects this grave to a 1911 census record, and to the gravestones of other WALKER family members, buried at All Saints, Radwell, where there is also an inscription to him, on the back of his parents gravestone (see; BillionGraves.com).

The portrait (below) of James Hope WALKER appears to have been painted after his death. It is signed ‘E. L. HAWES, 1919′, and “EVA L. HAWES, 24 WINDSOR RD, CHURCH END FINCHLEY” is written on the back. I have no other information about the artist. The portrait is in an envelope, addressed in pencil to James’ mother, “Mrs Walker, Radwell Bury, Baldock, Herts” (an address which his parents moved to in about 1935).

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